A COMPARISON OF HIGH-RISK SITUATIONS FOR ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS

The authors examined situational and affective risk factors associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs. Five primary substance group s (alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, sedatives-tranquilizers, and heroin-op iates) were compared on situational risk scales from the Inventory of Drinking and Drug Use Situations. Significant differences were found b etween groups on both level and pattern of situational and affective r isk. Positive social experiences and negative affective states were im portant risk factors for the alcohol and cocaine groups. Positive affe ctive and situational factors were important for the marijuana group. Negative physical states and interpersonal conflict were important ris k factor for the heroin-opiate and sedative-tranquilizer groups. Age a nd gender were also found to be significantly related to level and pat tern of situational risk for alcohol and other drug use.